Our Mission, Vision and Values

The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.

Our vision is a world where the diversity of life thrives, and people act to conserve nature for its own sake and its ability to fulfil our needs and enrich our lives.

How do we achieve this mission and vision?

Through the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, including more than 600 scientists, all of whom impact conservation in 72 countries.

With the help of our many partners, from individuals and governments to local nonprofits and corporations.

By using a non-confrontational, collaborative approach and staying true to our core values.

That’s how The Nature Conservancy has done more than anyone else to advance conservation around the world since our founding in 1951.

Our Values

As indispensable to The Nature Conservancy’s success as our unifying mission, vision, goals and measures are our unique values—the distinguishing attributes that characterise how we conduct ourselves in our drive for tangible, lasting results. These attributes are not mere platitudes but deeply held convictions universally manifested by all who represent The Nature Conservancy.

Integrity Beyond Reproach

We will meet the highest ethical and professional standards in all of our organisational endeavours and, in doing so, we hold ourselves accountable to our mission and to the public.

Be honest at all times.

Be accountable to each other, to the mission, to our donors, members, partners and to the public (Read our Privacy Policy.).

Earn trust by building relationships, being competent and following through on all of our commitments.

Respect for People, Communities and Cultures

Enduring conservation success depends on the active involvement of people and partners whose lives and livelihoods are linked to the natural systems we seek to conserve. We respect the needs, values and traditions of local communities and cultures, and we forge relationships based on mutual benefit and trust.

Demonstrate respect by committing to local, on the ground involvement with people, communities and cultures, and with awareness and sensitivity to their economic realities.

Treat our partners and colleagues with fairness and honesty.

Work collaboratively with all sectors of society, including indigenous people, to develop practical conservation solutions.

Commitment to Diversity

We recognise that conservation is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of widely diverse backgrounds, experiences and identities. We will recruit and develop staff to create a diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation that reflects our global character and:

Leverage our differences to be more effective in achieving our mission.

Respect and learn from our variety of experiences and ways of thinking.

Create a day to day workplace climate that welcomes and encourages each of us, valuing the contributions of all.

Strengthen the diversity of our workforce, trustees, and board.

One Conservancy

Our strength and vitality lie in being one organisation working together in local places and across borders to achieve our global mission. We value the collective and collaborative efforts that are so essential to our success.

Work across all of our operations to implement and support the right strategies, at the right scales, and at the right places always with the greater good of our mission in mind.

Act with continuity of purpose in everything we do, from the focus of our conservation efforts to the allocation of our resources.

Celebrate individual, team and project success as the success of all who work for TNC.

Tangible, Lasting Results

We use the best available science, a creative spirit and a non-confrontational approach to craft innovative solutions to complex conservation problems at scales that matter and in ways that will endure.

Develop, analyse and use the best available conservation science and a science-based rigor to set priorities, make decisions, take action and measure results.

Use a creative spirit and original thought in the pursuit of excellence.